A SUCCESSFUL businesswoman is “surprised but delighted” to have been named Marketeer of the Year by Peterborough-based medical devices company Coloplast.

Rachael Dawson, pictured in blue with Martin Beynon, Coloplast medical marketing manager, and Sue Kernahan (right), Coloplast general manager, was described by the company as “passionate about her work, motivated and driven”. She received the accolade at the company’s sales conference in Croatia. Her reward for outstanding performance is an all-expenses-paid long weekend for two in Vienna.

2010 was quite a year for Coloplast’s marketing events manager who works at the company’s head office in Peterborough. Rachael has launched two new products in the intermittent catheter range, taken on the newly-created marketing events manager role and achieved her CIM post graduate marketing diploma. She is now an affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

“It has been an eventful year but also a very successful one,” said Rachael. “A lot of hard work was needed for the post graduate programme which meant I needed to fit in my studies alongside the day job. The end result has made it all worthwhile though.”

Her colleagues were delighted with her success and they were all at the sales conference to share her triumph.

“Colleagues are always pleased when someone in Coloplast does well or wins an award like this,” she added. “We are always very busy and the pace is very quick. It’s a positive place to work in and that brings out the best in people.

“We’re always looking and working to do things better – whether that’s with new processes, systems or products. I wasn’t expecting anything but it was a really nice surprise when they called out my name. That was the first I knew about it!”

Rachael has worked with Coloplast for four years. Until a few months ago she was a senior product manager.

“Working in continence care and the ostomy division, I’m responsible for the events and exhibitions to help promote our products and services in these areas. That involves making sure we have the right strategy, branding, standards and products for our customers at all our events attended.”

What makes a great marketeer?

Rachael offers the following advice: “Approach everything with a positive attitude and be professional. Have the right energy levels and be consistent at all times”.

Martin Beynon, Coloplast medical marketing manager, said Rachael’s award was richly deserved.

“Rachael is passionate about her work and shows she is adaptable to take on new challenges. She is enthusiastic, motivated and driven. She has always been up for a challenge and is committed to achieve the best outcome.”

Coloplast’s specialist healthcare products for continence, ostomy and wound and skin care make a real difference to people with intimate healthcare needs. The company employs about 170 staff at its UK headquarters in Peterborough and over 70 others at its nearby distribution centre.